Giraffe seahorse (Hippocampus camelopardalis)

Scientific name: Hippocampus camelopardalis Bianconi, 1854

The Giraffe seahorse (Hippocampus camelopardalis) is a marine fish of the family Syngnathidae.

Biology

Found in seagrass and algal beds. Ovoviviparous. The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Scientific name: Hippocampus camelopardalis
Family: Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses)
Order: Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and Seahorses)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 10.0
Depth range: 45 m (148 ft)
Environment: Marine; demersal; non-migratory; depth range ? - 45 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Indian Ocean: Zanzibar (Tanzania), Inhaca, Delagoa Bay (Mozambique) and False Bay (South Africa). International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04) and a minimum size of 10 cm applies.
Conservation status (IUCN): Data deficient (DD)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026